The first words that comes to your mind when you hear Inspiration, Passion, and Strength

Inspiration; for me is the same as imagination. For me it’s something that works better while being alone so inspiration would also mean Independence

Passion: passion means work for me or more precisely the state I am when I am working; whether is is when I style, or I’m in a back store picking out outfits for my personal shopping clients or whether it’s when im splashing acrylic paint on a virgin canvas passion is my motivation.

Strength: strength for me means support. I owe this to my best friends and my family that have been there every second i needed them to be.

Who are you? (Answer how you interpret this question)

I would describe myself as a tomboy since childhood and the ultimate libra (astrology is my thing) therefore quite indecisive but naturally passionate and someone that requires a motivational drive. As much as I hate to admit it I am a pessimist by nature so I find it very important to be surrounded with positive energy, I owe a lot to my best friends who have been able to not only cope with me at times but to fill my life with constant happiness and supportive vibes. I also really like to read in my free time and love taking naps. My sense of style is inspired by everything that has to do with Japanese culture, talk to me about Japanese Boro and you got me hocked.

Why do you do what you do?

At first it was the one thing i did to escape from reality, I would spend my days planning shoots and running around the city to collect garments, it was something that kept me busy, then it became a passion, if at one moment i wasn’t doing it, it would be the only thing on my mind and i would burst from excitement when i got a project proposal of some sort. In other words, I fell in love with work and it has been by far the best relationship i’ve ever had haha

When did you know this is what you wanted to do, and what events led you to choose it?

I’ve sort of always knew, when i was in 3rd grade, when everyone was having fun playing with dolls, I never wanted to play because I found that the outfits where dull and boring. I would rush home after school and sketch clothing that I liked and then have my grandma help me sow them together with her old sewing machine. Later when my doll faze was over I would lock myself in the bathroom past bedtime and read my mom’s vogues that would arrive in the mail every month, i would cut out the clothing, match it to some other pretty face until my mom started to notice that I was lacking of sleep hahah. I’ve always known, ever since i was little that fashion was going to be very important in my life, as a kid i always dreamed of being Cary Bradshaw with her million pairs of heels, i guess i’ve succeeded except that heels have been overthrown by sneakers, I’ve got way to many.

Toughest thing you had to overcome to do what you do? And what/who helped you?

What’s been difficult for me is being so young when people started liking my work. At the age of 16 I was asked to style a Fall/Winter Lookbook by someone who basically found me on the street and liked what i wore (an indigo patched skirt with a beige mao collar shirt) I agreed and people loved it. But there is no appreciation without hate. Many people thought I was too young to take part in such projects, I was now entering a fashion world where I was considered competition by other stylists that have have been around for ages and they weren’t happy at all. Back then It must of seemed like hell to be told “you’re too young for this world” but i still never really stopped to do what I loved and that I owe to my friends and family who have been incredibly supportive along the way. If anything all that just made me a stronger individual and brought me to where I am now.

Has anyone/anything ever inspired you to become who you are (to follow your dreams)? Have you ever inspired anyone directly?

As strange as It may seem, the biggest inspiration is a book I found in this little store while being somewhat lost in Brooklyn that has been laying on my shelf for a while now. it’s called “Boro” which means: rags and tatters from the far north of Japan. The books is basically a documentary about boro clothing that the Japanese people had not by choice but by chance and that has practically vanished today. It speaks about patchwork and how in order not to freeze the people had no other choice but to randomly patch pieces of rags together with hemp in between in order to keep warm. The result is phenomenal the unwanted aesthetic of the clothing takes over. With just survival in mind, these people have created beautiful garments and that’s what has been the biggest inspiration for me. It made me understand how little we need in order to shine. it’s not worth having a closet full of clothing that just sits there waiting to be worn. Here’s a Quote from the book that left It’s mark on me: “Having lots of expensive things is not wealth. knowing whats really important and necessary for oneself that’s real wealth. that’s what Aomori boro teaches us.”

One mistake that you made in your journey? How have you learnt from them?

Maybe just the fact that I experienced everything at a very young age and that sometimes that has it’s flaws. There was a period of my life where i got lost and forgot who I truly was. At the time I’d just lost the person that supported my work the most and that was a really difficult period in my life . But i’ve come to understand that everything in life happens for a reason and that anything you wish you could overcome it is just a matter of time. Since then I have completely changed as an individual i’m not longer a child that rushes into everything that is on it’s path, I learned to make smart choices and to surround myself with the right people.

Upcoming projects? Plans/goal? (about anything, if you have any)

Lots of things happening but to early to speak until accomplished. I am currently working on some upcoming campaigns but concentrating a lot on school and my art. Applying for a work visa in Europe in the near future.

What advice would you give to other people? (Just about life in general - It could be about anything)

To not compete or at least to not seek competition in the art world. Do what you love by staying true to you and if other people like it then great if they dont it’s nothing personal.

Say anything you want, about anything (Last words)

The last thing I think is the most important message I could spread; It’s to not judge a book by it’s cover, some of the most ordinary looking people I’ve met are those whom changed my life forever. A person’s value does not lay in his/hers level of intellect or economical background. Everyone has their own story to tell. As they say “it’s not just you, it’s everyone.”